///////
Zeroth
HP : 1400/1400
MP : 1080/1080

Mirage
HP : 3750/3750
MP : 1500/1500
///////

'Her HP and MP are higher than mine.'

There was her name under my name. It was like we were in a party. Despite I was surprised, I was really curious and excited. Sadly, I couldn't check her stats and skills even if I wanted to. Then I noticed the system window about Partner kept flashing like a new notification that hadn't been read yet. So I opened the system window and tapped the message.

///////
Mirage

Race : Ania
Job (Class) : Astral Alchemist (Artisan)
Hobby : Crystal Siren

[Stats]
HP : 3750/3750
MP : 1500/1500

STR 75 VIT 75
DEX 75 AGI 75
INT 75 WIS 75

[Skill]
Active:
Shapeshift Lv. Max, Soul Mimic Lv. Max, Requiem of Madness Lv. Max, Healing Serenade Lv. Max, Song of Purity Lv. Max

Passive:
Astral Alchemy Lv. Max, Singer Lv. Max, Natural Forager Lv. Max

Soul Mimic:
None
///////

Mirage profile was shown on a new window.

'All her skills are on max level!?'

I almost opened my mouth but I gulped instead. Two skills piqued my interest. I opened their description.

【Shapeshift】
Level Max
Active: An ability to alter form into disguise. It also gains its current form's special ability and weakness.

Mana cost: 250

【Soul Mimic】
Level Max
Active: Devour an absorbed soul and possess its skills. Obtained skills will be replaced if new soul is consumed.

Mana cost: 50

Those were amazing skills. Even her stats were greater than mine. I was happy but…

'Will my stats and skills raise with her around me?'

Just like in a party. The experience would be shared. Still, with her amazing stats we could take down stronger monsters and gained a large amount of experience. But, I didn't know if she could fight in her current situation. She could be a support for me though. However, I felt something didn't feel right somehow. I rubbed my face with both of my hands.

'Aaahhhhh…too much thinking! Just think about it later! Yeah… What matters now is going back to town again.'

But then I remembered that I got multiple system messages when I defeated the lich. So I checked my profile and I was right. There were some skills that were upgraded. I immediately opened their description.

【Greater Wisdom】
Level 1
Passive: Greatly increase Maximum MP and Magical Defense. It also increases mana regeneration.

Effect: 20%
Mana Regen: 6/minute

【Formidable Mind】
Level 1
Passive: Greatly trigger negative mental state resistance in combat. Possible to reflect debuff to its caster.

Chance: 10%
Reflect chance: 1%

【Advanced Sword Mastery】
Level 1
Passive: Increase STR and DEX when using swords as weapon.

Effect:
+10 STR
+1 DEX

【Endurance】
Level 1
Passive: Decrease damage taken by enemies. It also triggers negative physical state resistance in combat.

Effect: 100 damage
Chance: 1%

After seeing Mirage's stats and skills, seeing mine wasn't really excited anymore. I sighed.

"Well then… let's go to the town."

Mirage nodded and followed me.

・・・

Nuztak Laboratory, Town of Azurdan.

A blond woman with white lab coat was hurriedly packing her stuff into a big suitcase. A moment later, a man wearing the same coat appeared.

"What are you doing?"

"Moving…"

"What!? You can't do that! We need you to be here. Those patients-"

"I don't care… He's coming…"

"Who? Who's coming?"

She opened her mouth for a moment but she shut it again. Then she answered as if she was terrified just by saying the name. She decided to not say his name…

"O-origin…"

"F-first…p-patient?"

"I got a message from Ethan. And he said that he… Origin was there."

"…"

"And our spy just informed that Franco…He…He's dead…"

Silence was filled the room. Only the sound of packing was heard. A minute passed, and the man began to speak as he was really terrified…

"W-wait for me… I'll get my suitcase…"

"We don't have much time… I'm sorry I won't wait for you…"

"Fuck! That bastard! I will kill him later!"

The man ran out the room and disappeared.

"Yeah, it's all his fault. It's because of that OLD BASTARD! GOD DAMMIT!"

Closing her suitcase in rage, she immediately grabbed it and left.

Meanwhile, a man with black clothes and hat was standing in the dark. He was looking at a woman who was leaving the building with a suitcase on her chest. He was smiling…

"Found you…"